Page 66 of Keep You Safe
“Why?” Grayson shrugged and held me tightly. “Another episode, and I might find the strength for a double header.”
“It’s getting late,” I warned. “Another set of orgasms, and I’m going to be even sleepier and harder to move.”
“Reckon the gossip will be there tomorrow regardless of where you sleep.” His tone was pragmatic. “It’s cold outside. Stay.”
“I will.” I’d waited months for him to say that. If I were truthful, I’d waited years for someone to utter that word.Stay.Grayson Campbell wanted me. Improbable, but true. He really wanted me. Of course, I wanted those other words too, but I wasn’t greedy. I’d hold that “stay” close to my heart for a long time.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Grayson
“You can’t name a horse Cupid.”I stood in front of Adler’s horse’s stall, which, after much debate, now featured a name plaque. A pink name plaque complete with a curly-q script and a heart over the lowercaseI. Even Willow’s horse, Pepperjack, had a less fanciful nameplate. Cupid might be the newest horse in the stable, but he wasn’t lacking for bling, and his new owner wasn’t lacking for swagger.
“I believe I can, seeing as how he’s my horse and all.” Having just finished saddling the horse, Adler leaned on the stall door, expression begging me to object so he could push my buttons that much more.
Fine. There was no one around, and we had another hour at least until dinner. I hadn’t dropped my strict no-fooling-around-in-the-barn rule, but a little flirting was harmless enough. I gave him my sternest glare, inviting whatever brattiness he needed to unleash.
“Just because it’s Valentine’s week…” As I trailed off, I offered a heated promise with my eyes that I’d properly deal with him later.
However, to my surprise, his expression softened from defiant to sweet, mouth going full and slack and cheeks that much pinker.
“More like just because it’s the most romantic gesture someone has ever done for me.” He put a hand over his heart, faking a swoon, but his eyes were sincere.
“Pish.” I crowded into him, not touching, but close enough to make my presence known. “If that’s so, you might need more romance.”
“Possibly.” He beamed at me. “But I’m pretty happy as is.”
And he had been ridiculously cheerful all week, whistling his way through work and blessing me with more smiles than I possibly deserved, all because I dared hold his hand in public. Making Adler Kelly content was so damn easy that I truly should have pulled my head out of my ass weeks ago. The only price had been some light teasing from the hands, most of which was directed at Adler, not me, and all of which he took in stride. In my relief, the first part of the week had sped past, and now, tomorrow was Valentine’s Day. I had zero clue how I could beat getting him a horse or coming out, and I had a limited imagination, but I was determined to try.
“Seriously. Help a cowboy out here.” I glared at him simply to watch his grin widen. “What do you want for Valentine’s Day?”
“You.” Adler made a happy chirp.
“Try again,” I warned, telling him with my eyes exactly what I intended to dish out after dinner if he kept up the back talk.
“Your threats hardly scare me.” Adler wiggled in place, looking damn eager and testing all my rules about where we could and could not kiss. I made a frustrated noise, and Adler placed a soothing hand on my coat sleeve. “I wouldn’t turn down dinner out, but I know that’s not your speed.”
“Hmm.” I schooled my expression. It was an easy enough request and slightly terrifying at the same time. It was onething to come out at the ranch where no one would dare cross Maverick if they valued their job, yet quite another to take a man to dinner on Valentine’s Day, inviting whatever speculation folks wanted. If rumors weren’t already swirling with my name on them, going fully public with Adler would do the trick. However, seeing as how I wasn’t going anywhere, I might as well jump in with both feet.Do it scared.I was learning to pick and choose which lessons I kept from my past, but that was a pretty good one.
I worked up a slow smile. “There’s a decent steakhouse in Durango. Reckon you’d like it. I’ll see if they’re doing reservations.”
“Really?” Adler’s grin was more than worth conquering that brief moment of fear.
“Really. Feel free to wear your fanciest”—I gave him a deliberate once-over—“underwear.”
“Oh, I love you.” Adler’s breath escaped him in a loud rush before his eyes widened, and his voice went higher-pitched. “I mean, I love that idea.”
“Adler.” I reached out and tilted his chin up with my thumb. His eyes were heartbreakingly vulnerable. I swallowed hard. “I love you too.”
“You do?” he whispered.
“As you’ve pointed out a dozen times this week, I got you a horse, risked bunkhouse gossip, and kissed you in front of our mutual boss.” My tone took on a testy edge to cover for my shaking hands. “You think I would have done that for anyone else?”
“I guess not.” His lips curved into the sweetest smile, making it all the easier to repeat myself.
“I love you.” My voice was stronger this time. “Never thought I’d say those words, but they feel right. This feels right.”
“It does.” Adler darted in for a quick kiss on my cheek. “I love you too.” Withdrawing slightly, he patted the spot he’d kissed. “And I don’t need a fancy steak dinner?—”
